Doncaster man and homeless campaigner arrested at anti-coronavirus lockdown demonstration

Phillip Antony Hartley, who describes himself as a ‘love campaigner’ was among a handful of demonstrators including Jeremy Corbyn’s brother, arrested at the protest in Hyde Park on Saturday.

Dozens of protesters ignored health warnings and social distancing to gather in the capital calling for the end of the coronavirus lockdown.

Placards reading ‘freedom over fear’ and ‘exvaxxinate’ were held aloft by people, dubbed ‘Covidiots, protesting what they believe to be a ‘fake virus’ and which they say is caused by 5G phone masts.

There is no evidence of this whatsoever and scientists fear a spike in measles among children is linked in part to unfounded fears about vaccines.

Mr Hartley, who was behind the controversial Tent City project to help the homeless in Doncaster several years ago, said on Facebook that he was held for ten hours before being released.

Commenting on the social disorder, the Met’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, stated: “It was disappointing that a relatively small group in Hyde Park came together to protest the regulations in clear breach of the guidance putting themselves and others at risk of infection.”

He said that officers “took a measured approach and tried to engage the group to disperse”, however, “they clearly had no intention of doing so, and so it did result in 19 people being arrested, and a further 10 being issued with a fixed penalty notice.”